Genetically encoded mechano-sensors with versatile readouts and compact size.

Mechanical forces are critical for virtually all fundamental biological processes, yet quantification of mechanical forces at the molecular scale remains challenging. Here, we present a new strategy using calibrated coiled-coils as genetically encoded, compact, tunable, and modular mechano-sensors to substantially simplify force measurement , via diverse readouts (luminescence, fluorescence and analytical biochemistry) and instrumentation readily available in biology labs. We demonstrate the broad applicability and ease-of-use of these coiled-coil mechano-sensors by measuring forces during cytokinesis (formin Cdc12) and endocytosis (epsin Ent1) in yeast, force distributions in nematode axons (β-spectrin UNC-70), and forces transmitted to the nucleus (mini-nesprin-2G) and within focal adhesions (vinculin) in mammalian cells.

Cytoplasmic ribosomes hitchhike on mitochondria to dendrites.

Neurons rely on local protein synthesis to rapidly modify the proteome of neurites distant from the cell body. A prerequisite for local protein synthesis is the presence of ribosomes in the neurite, but the mechanisms of ribosome transport in neurons remain poorly defined. Here, we find that ribosomes hitchhike on mitochondria for their delivery to the dendrite of a sensory neuron in .

Axonal mitochondria regulate gentle touch response through control of axonal actin dynamics.

Actin in neuronal processes is both stable and dynamic. The origin & functional roles of the different pools of actin is not well understood. We find that mutants that lack mitochondria, and , in neuronal processes also lack dynamic actin.

Polarized localization of kinesin-1 and RIC-7 drives axonal mitochondria anterograde transport.

Mitochondria transport is crucial for axonal mitochondria distribution and is mediated by kinesin-1-based anterograde and dynein-based retrograde motor complexes. While Miro and Milton/TRAK were identified as key adaptors between mitochondria and kinesin-1, recent studies suggest the presence of additional mechanisms. In C.

Optimizing Visualization of Axonal Transport of Endogenous Cargo by Fluorescence Microscopy in Living Caenorhabditis elegans.

Axonal transport is a prerequisite to deliver axonal proteins from their site of synthesis in the neuronal cell body to their destination in the axon. Consequently, loss of axonal transport impairs neuronal growth and function. Studying axonal transport therefore improves our understanding of neuronal cell biology.